The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department opened a third lane on Interstate 49 Friday.

The lane lies between the Lowell Avenue and Wagon Wheel Road exits.

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The highway department said the lanes are good to go, but crews might still need to put some finishing touches on the project.

However, the speed limit won’t change Friday. The highway department said it could be between a few days and a couple of weeks before drivers can push the pedal.

Crews were out Friday to remove orange barrels from the interstate.

“The first time I got on the highway, I was pretty intimidated because it’s right there on the side, I had no room to move or anything,” said driver Davis Gray. “I didn’t like it at all.”

The highway department has started closing lanes at night between the New Hope Road exit and Arkansas Highway 102.

Officials said the lane closures will happen every night until they finish putting up the median barrier. Officials said once the median barrier is in place, they will shift those lanes so crews can begin working.